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Intel’s latest "0x114" microcode update seems to be falling short of expectations, as it has yet to solve the persistent performance woes plaguing the Arrow Lake processors. Recent benchmarks have indicated an additional decline in performance.
Challenges Continue for Intel’s Arrow Lake Desktop CPUs with Yet Another BIOS Update Falling Short
It’s a tough market for Intel’s desktop CPUs, with the "Raptor Lake Refresh" facing its own set of thermal instability issues and now a new crisis brewing with the Arrow Lake-S processors. For those who haven’t been keeping track, Intel recently noted a significant disparity in ARL-S performance on consumer systems versus their internal tests. To tackle these discrepancies, they released the "0x114" microcode, designed to address various core issues highlighted in their recent "Field Update." However, it appears that these problems persist.
In a tweet shared by CapFrameX, it was noted that there’s a troubling performance drop with the latest BIOS, microcode, and management engine patch. Memory latency has jumped from roughly 69ns to over 80ns, which is quite a setback. As CapFrameX puts it, patience with this platform is wearing thin.
Recent benchmarks shared by @CapFrameX highlight the disappointing impact of Intel’s 0x114 microcode on Arrow Lake-S CPUs, showing yet another significant downhill turn in gaming performance. When testing Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K with Cyberpunk 2077, there was an approximate 18% drop in average frames per second—a noticeable decline, especially when added to the already recorded losses. Despite Intel’s promises of a "double-digit" performance boost with this new BIOS, initial tests suggest a reality that’s miles away from those assurances.
Moreover, memory latency has also taken a hit, with a noted 14% increase, which is indeed discouraging for users. While this particular test is regarded as among the more reputable assessments of the 0x114 microcode, more evidence would be needed to conclusively label the new ARL-S BIOS update as flawed. As it stands, Intel may need to rethink its strategy regarding its desktop CPU segment.
In light of these developments, Intel is expected to host a media briefing around CES 2025 to address ongoing performance issues with the Core Ultra 200S series. For now, Arrow Lake-S users will have to await an official statement from Intel to determine if these new benchmark results are universally applicable and if the performance decline noted with the 0x114 microcode persists across all systems.
